1903-1904.1 225 



the sea, and had received such deposits which were now form- 

 ing the present surface of the land. 



The paper was illustrated by a fine series of lantern slides, 

 the lantern being in charge of Mr. A. R. Hogg. 



Mr. William Gray, M.R.I.A., contributed a paper on 

 '■ The Influence of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club in Pro- 

 moting the Advancement of Science." He said there were 

 about seventy provincial societies affiliated to the British 

 Association and recognised by the Parliament of Science as 

 " Corresponding Societies." They had been selected from 

 societies qualified to further the objects of the association and 

 publish the results of their investigations. The Belfast 

 Naturalists' Field Club was one of the first appointed, and 

 was the premier corresponding society in Ireland. Mr. Gray 

 then proceeded to refer to the services rendered by the mem- 

 bers of the Club in various departments of scientific investi- 

 gation, and said they might fairly assume that its present and 

 future members would combine to carry on the work so 

 successfully done by their predecessors. The natural advan- 

 tages of Belfast and neighbourhood as a corresponding centre, 

 and the work achieved in it during the past hundred years 

 for the promotion of science received attention, and the neces- 

 sity was pointed out for the provision of better facilities for a 

 closer study of nature in the district. In conclusion Mr. 

 Gray referred to the use that could be made of specimens in 

 connection with elementary education, and said by this and 

 like advances in their normal work they would indeed become 

 more closely identified with the educational movements of 

 that day, and in a minor, but very important field, fulfil the 

 primary object of the British Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science. 



These papers were spoken to by the President, Messrs, 

 W. Gray, Robert Patterson, R. Welch, and B. Hobson. 



The election of Mrs. Bruce, Dr. J. E. Macllwaine, Messrs. 

 W. H. Milligan, John Russell, and William Christy concluded 

 the meeting. 



